How to Build an automation from scratch
Build a comment-to-DM automation step by step: set the trigger and keywords, add a message with a button, tag the contact, test it and go live.
Templates are the quickest start, but building one yourself shows how every automation fits together. This one sends a price list to anyone who comments PRICE.
Steps
- 1
Click New automation
Go to Automations and click + New automation. A draft called "Untitled automation" opens on your first connected account.
app.awwtomation.com/automations
- 2
Get to know the builder
The builder opens with the trigger selected and its settings on the left. The flow sits in the middle. The orange pill at the top counts what's still missing before it can go live. Click the name at the top to rename it.
app.awwtomation.com/automations
- 3
Set the trigger
Under Starts when someone sends a, pick Comment, DM or Story reply. Type each keyword in Run on and press Enter. Contains matches the word anywhere in the message, Whole word only on its own, and Any text runs on every message. Under Posts, keep All posts or choose Specific posts.
app.awwtomation.com/automations
- 4
Add a Send message step
Click Send message in the Steps list. It's added under the last step and its settings open on the right. You can also click the + under any step, or drag a step onto the canvas.
app.awwtomation.com/automations
- 5
Check what's left to fix
Click the orange pill (here 1 to fix) to see everything under Before it can go live. Each problem is also marked on its step.
app.awwtomation.com/automations
- 6
Write the message
Type the Message text. The chips under the box insert @username, First name or Full name. Click Add button for up to three buttons: a Link opens a web page and Next step carries on the flow. Titles fit 20 characters. The phone on the right shows what they'll see.
app.awwtomation.com/automations
- 7
Tag the contact
Click Add tag in the Steps list and type a tag, here
price-list. Everyone who reaches this step gets the tag, so you can filter them in Contacts or message them later.app.awwtomation.com/automations
- 8
Test it
Click Test, type a sample comment and click Run test. You see whether it runs, which keyword matched and exactly what the DM looks like. Nothing is sent.
app.awwtomation.com/automations
- 9
Go live
Click Go live. It saves your changes and switches the automation on. The badge next to the name changes from Draft to Live, and Go live becomes Pause.
app.awwtomation.com/automations
app.awwtomation.com/automations
How a flow moves
After each Send message the flow waits for the person to reply or tap a button, then carries on. That keeps every automation inside Meta's rules: one private reply per comment, and follow-up messages only within 24 hours of the person's last message.
Questions
Can I build without a plan?
Yes. You can connect accounts and build as many automations as you like first. Go live asks you to pick a plan before anything is sent.
What does Once per person do?
It's on by default under Repeats in the trigger. Anyone who already got this automation is skipped, even if they comment again.
Try it on your account
Build it now. Nothing is sent until you pick a plan.